Can the security of T&T be under threat or not good enough to even protect the Prime Minister much less the lives of Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, his wife, Nicole Dyer-Griffith and their son?
This was the question from criminologist Daurius Figueira in response to Griffith’s Facebook post on Monday, the day of his wedding anniversary, in which he apologised to his wife for not being able to take her out to celebrate because of the heavy criticisms of his every action.
Griffith also revealed that his wife and son were forced to migrate because of numerous death threats.
Figueira said that statement doesn’t give a good image of the country’s security systems and does not “work well” in terms of public confidence.
“It is strange to me because it says to me that he is convinced that there is the capability to make the threat real so it means that the chance of it being carried out reflects on the security system because people does threaten ministers . . . so it is a message that is being sent, “ Figueira said.
“He is the one in charge of the security branch that protects the prime minister. He is sending a message that things are so bad that he has to ship them out and therefore it raises the question about the security of the State. Remember this is a country that had July 27, 1990.”
“You having all of us question the security of the place... You have now shipped out your family but what about us who cannot ship out our own? It sends a message that things are so bad that that is what has to be done but what happens to all of us who are on that ship?”
Figueira also pointed out that heavy criticisms come with the job of Police Commissioner as “it is not a popularity contest and the job does not change upon whether people like you or not.”
He said: “You don’t have to expect that you have to keep responding to criticisms in the manner that you do because that comes with the territory and there is a dire need for an effective response to the crime reality.”
In response to Griffith’s social media claim about putting his health on the line by working 18 hours a day, seven days a week “in an effort to pull back this country from the brink of decay”, Figueira suggested that Griffith delegate some duties.
“If you are working 18 hours a day it means you are not delegating so, therefore, look at the manner in which you operate. One man cannot do everything. One man cannot be the instrument of change,” he said.
In November 2018, directly responding to death threats, Griffith promised his “wanna-be-killers” a “welcome gift.” He also described them as “wimps” and dared them to“stop being a wimp (weakling or a coward) and grand charge by sending messages.”
“If they want me, they know where to find me. I would have a welcome gift for them on immediate entry,” the CoP declared then.
Griffith said he has no fear as having fear can cause a leader to make incorrect decisions in a conflict.
“My training and experience in combat did not have a module to teach you to be fearful. I do not know what that feels like,” he said
The Commissioner vowed to continue his mission to make the country safer and acknowledged that doing so involves making decisions that may “affect the profit that many may have derived due to illegal acts, inclusive of the illegal weapon and drug trade, gang activity and white-collar crime.”
He added: “I am not here to have such individuals like and support me. I expect them to hate me and I expect that some wish they could neutralize.”
Timeline of death threats
° November 18, 2018, at 8.25 pm—An E999 operator received a call from a Bmobile number in which a male voice said: “We are coming to kill Gary Griffith.” A minor was arrested in connection with that incident.
° November 21, 2018, at 1.30 am—A caller threatened CoP Griffith and his wife, Nicole Dyer-Griffith. A 35-year-old man from Gasparillo was arrested.
° November 22, 2018, at 11.12 pm—A third call was received by an E999 operator. A 33-year-old man from El Socorro arrested.
° November 23—Death threat made at 7.24 pm followed at 7.25 pm by a threat against Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
° November 24, 2018, at 2.50 pm—Threats were made against Griffith and Persad-Bissessar, making it the fifth in six days. In all, three persons arrested, including a 12-year-old boy.
(Please see Page 9 for more reactions to Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith)